Pharmacological and pharmacognostical valuation of Canna indica leaves extract by quantifying safety profile and neuroprotective potential

The current study primarily focused on the pharmacognostical and phytochemical screening of Canna indica and further analyzing the leaves extract for toxicological profile and neuroprotective potential. The microscopic, dry powder properties of the leaf material and phytochemical, physicochemical analysis was evaluated for pharmacognostical assessment. Dry leaves of C. indica were extracted using methanol and then further studied for both in vitro and in vivo toxicological study. The acute toxicity was measured by estimating the antioxidant defense system and anatomical impairment in the rat's organs. Also, the neuroprotective activity of the plant extract was assessed using anticholinesterase enzymatic inhibitory assay. The extract was found to be hemocompatible and showed absences of induction of behavioural changes. Likewise, no changes were seen on the anatomical structure of the rat's organs. The methanolic extract portrayed a significant upsurge in the reduced glutathione level and showed a comparable acetyl-cholinesterase inhibition in a dosedependent manner with an IC50 value of 14.53 mu g/mL compared to the standard Donepezil with an IC50 value of 13.31 mu g/mL. C. indica has compelling pharmacognostical characteristics, good safety reports, and significant antioxidant as well as the neuroprotective potential that shows great potential for its further in-depth research for pharmacological use. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.